US2210764A - Miniature bulb and socket construction - Google Patents

Description

Aug 5, 1940- M. KLEIN Er A1. 2.210.764

MINIATURE BULB AND SOCKET CONSTRUCTION Aug. 6, 1940. M. KLEIN ET Al.

MINIATURE BULB AND SOCKET CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 29. 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 latented Aug. 6, i940 PATENT OFFICE MINIATURE BULB AND SOCKET CONSTRUCTION Maximilian Klein, Sellersville, and William E.

Pfelexg- South Perkasie, Pa.,

assignors to United States Gauge Company, Sellersville, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 29, 1938, Serial No. 243,047

Claims. (Cl. 176-32) The present invention relates to a vnovel electric i bulb and socket structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel miniature lamp bulb and socket structure adapted for use 5 in the illumination of dial and pointer instruments, inscribed' or' decorative panels, small electrical inspection and medical instruments, and devices of like characteristics.

' Electrical bulbs of the above mentioned characl0 ter are extremely small having anoverall length of approximately one-half an inch and a diameter of approximately one-eighth of an inch. As a result of the small size of these bulbs, diiculty has been experienced in assembling the glass bulb with its extremely fine filaments in the bulb base. l. It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide an exceedingly simple base structure that will enable ready assembly and connection of the glass bulb and filament,

and convenient connection of the'lamp to the instrument casing by means of a cap with which the lamp is removably associated.

A further important object of the present inv vention resides in the provision of an electric lamp and base assembly capable of being inserted into a socket portion so as to make contact with the socket forwardly of the base of the lamp or adjacent the end of the bulb that 'contains the filament. 4

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an electrical lamp made up of four relatively simple parts designed to be held in assembled relation'with each other and with the glass bulb by a suitable cement.

' Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel socket adapted to receive a miniature light bulb.

A further object of the present invention resides in the construction of a lamp socket having a permanent contact for one terminal of the bulb and a readily removable contact designed to complete the circuit to the other terminal of the bulb and to secure the bulb in snug engagement with the socket.

Further objects of the invention will appear from' the following description when read in conjunction with the appended claims and attached` drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through a bulb socket made in accordance with the present invention and a preferred form of bulb in assembled relation therein illustrating one method of employing the present bulb and socket structures;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the bulb assembly of Figure 1 illustrating the manner oil insulating the contact elements from each other and of securing the glass bulb in place;

Figure 3 is a plan View of the bulb of Figure as viewed from the front of the bulb;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the bulb of Figure 2 5 viewed from the rear of the bulb;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a dial and pointer instrument illustrating an application of the method of illumination disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 6 isa view similar to Figure 1, illustrat- 10 ing a modified form of bulb made in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 7 to 9 are views corresponding to Figures 2 to 4 illustrating the modied form of bulb shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 10 is a View similar to Figure 1, illustrating a further modification of the bulb structure used in another manner to illuminate an instrument such as that shown in Figure 5.

With continued reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to indicate the same parts throughout the several figures, numeral I0 indicates generally a lamp made in accordance withthe present invention, and 25 numeral II indicates generally the novel socket of the present invention.

Lamp I0 comprises a glass bulb `I2 having the usual filament I3 therein andprotruding lament connections I4 and' I5 extending from the rear of the glass bulb. Glass bulb I2 is preferably manufactured in accordance with well known practices and is assembled with the novel bulb base assembly I6 of the present invention in the following manner.

Base assembly I6 comprises a metal contact Il composed of a relatively narrow strip of metal having a flange I8 at one end thereof. Contact Il comprises one contact element for lamp I0 and is connected to filament lead I4 by a suitable solderingoperation at I9. 40

After contact I'I is connected to filament lead I4 it is forced into an insulating sleeve 2l and the shoulder I8 is brought into abutting relation with end 22 of sleeve 2|.

The assembled glass bulb I2, contact Il and 45 sleeve 2 I is then provided with a further contact 23 having a flange 24 at one end thereof. Contact 23 is identical in structure to contact Il and is forced into the opposite end of sleeve 2| at a point substantially diametrically opposite contact Il until flange 24 abutsI end 25 of sleeve 2I. Filament lead I5 is then soldered to sleeve 23 at 26. The space surrounding glass bulb I2 and the rear of sleeve 2| is then lled with an insulating 5 level.

and: 38.

cement 21 by pouring the cement in its plastic condition into the open rear end of sleeve 2|. Cement 21 completely nils the space between glass bulb I2 and sleeve 2| so as to unite these ele ments and contact strips I1 and. 23 together. From the above description it will be clear that bulb III is made of relatively few and. simple parts, and that, due to the fact' that the various parts are readily accessible during the assembly operation, very little dilculty is experienced.l in making the soldered connections |9 and 28, and in assembling the glass bulb I2 with its be I8.

While lamp I8 may be used in any Suitable socket structure, the socket structure." of the present invention is preferred. Socket comprises a body portion 3| of insulating material having a bore' 32 therein. 'I'he upper end of bore 32 is preferably'enlarged as at 33 to provide an annular shoulder 34. At suitable points in the interior of bqdy`3| thewalls of bore 32 are provided with longitudinally extending grooves 35 Grooves 35 and 38 receive electrical conduits 31 and 38, which are connected in any suitable manner to a source of electricaleenergy.

Conduit 31 preferably constitutes the live conduit and is provided with an annular contact portion 39 having a centrally disposed opening 4| therein. -In order to properly position contact 39 in bore 32, conduit 31 is secured to an insulating sleeve 42 by means of arms 43 which pass through suitable apertures 44 inthe wall of sleeve 42. Arms 43 are bent over so as to clamp sleeve 42 at 48. Sleeve 42 with conduit 31 secured thereto is lthen inserted into bore 32, preferably from the lower end, and forced upwardly through bore 32 until contact 39 is at the proper While a frictional flt between sleeve 42 and bore 32 is usually suiilcient to retain the sleeve in proper position, suitable cement may be used.

Contact 38 in groove 38 extends beyond the shoulder 31 and is then bent over to provide a Y portion 48, in engagement with shoulder 34, and a portion 49 in engagement with the wall of enlarged portion 33 of bore 32. A metal ring 5| having internal threads 52 therein is positioned inenlarged portion 33 and clamps portions 48 and 49 of conduit 38 in place. Metal ring 5| may be associated with body 3| in any suitable manner. It is preferable that ring 5| t enlarged bore 33 snugly so as to be retained by friction, but it may be cemented in place.

Ring 5|, in the illustrated embodiment, is adapted to receive an externally threaded metal cap 53 having an internal bore 54 therein. Bore 54 freely receives base |8 of lamp I8, and. the Y. tapered walls 55 thereof engage contact 24 and force lamp I8 into snug engagement with contact 39. Cap 53 in addition completes the return circuit from filament I5, contact 24 to metal ring 5|, and conduit 38.

The bulb and socket structure just described is particularly useful in illuminating inscribed panels or dials, such as those used on radio receiving and sending sets, and pressure and like dial and pointer instruments. A typical installation is shown in Figure 5. In this gure a recess 3| is provided in the instrument body at one side of an instrument 88, and said recess forms the socket already described. The wall of instrument y 88 is provided with an aperture 82 interconnectcateddirectlybelowsieevesothatlightrays from lamp I3 may be reilected from surface 84 through the body of prism 83 into instrument casing 8l. T assure proper projection of the light rays, the lower end of sleeve 42 may carry a bulls eye lens 88, which causes the normally divergent rays of light from lamp I8 to pass out of lens 88 and strike surface 84 as parallel rays.

The rays reflected by surface 84 pass through the body of prism 83 and into the edge of a light transmitting panel or dial 88.

The rays entering dial 88 are diffused in suitable manner throughout the body of the dial so as to illuminate the markings and numerals on the dial face. A preferred method-of diffusing the light and-illuminating such a dial is illustrated in the copending application of Maximilian Klein and William E. Pfeifer entitled Illuminating indicating instrumen Serial No. 243,045, filed on even date herewith.

Although the preceding description contemplates that the body 3| be of insulating material, it will be appreciated that body 3| may be formed of metal provided conduit 31 is suitably insulated therefrom. If such a structure is resorted to, ring 5| and conduit 38 may be omitted and cap 53 may be screwed directly into the metal body portion which can be connected in a suitable manner to the ground lead of the electrical source and serve to complete the electrical circuit.

A modified form of the present invention is illustrated'in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive. In this form of the invention many of the parts are identical to those previously described and will be given the same reference numerals and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Lamp Illa comprises a glass bulb I2 having the usual filament I3 therein and protruding lament connections I4 and I5 extending from the rear of the glass bulb. Base assembly |8a comprises an insulating sleeve 2| and spring metal contacts |1a and 24a formed .from relatively narrow strips of metal. Filament lead I4 is co'nnected by a suitable soldering operation to contact |1a at I9 while contact 24a is similarly connected at 28 to filament lead .|5. v

Glass bulb I2 with contacts Ila and 24a connected thereto is then inserted into sleeve 2| and the sleeve is filled with cement 21 by pouring the cement in its plastic condition into the open rear end of bulb assembly Illa. 'I'he cement 21 completely fills the space between the glass bulb I2 and sleeve 2| to connect these elements and contact strips I1a and 24a into a unitary assembly. Y

While lamp Ilia may be used in any suitable socket structure, socket structure Ila similar in all respects to socket II, except for the live contact 31a comprises a relatively narrow strip of metal extending upwardly through groove 35 and secured to sleeve 42 by means of arms 43 in the manner heretofore described. The annular contact 39, however, is omitted and the upper end of contact strip 31a is bent over the end of sleeve 42 to provide a contact element 81.

Lamp Ilia is inserted through the upper end of bore 32 and contact portion 88 at the end of contact I1 engages .contact 81 to complete the circuit to bulb |841. Contact portion 89 at the end contact strip 24 engages conduit 38 at a point slightly above sleeve 42 to complete the return circuit from lamp Illa.

Contact portions 88 and 89 are bowed outwardly vat 1| and are compressed as the bulb Illa is inl`tact indicated by numeral 31a, is preferred'. Con- 'serted into bore 32. These contact portion therefore, will ex .outwardly due to the spring material and bear upon the wall of groove 35 and conduit 38, respectively, to retain lamp lila in bore 32.

The circuit in this form-of the invention is completed through lamp lila without passing through cap 53 and ring 5I. As a consequence, these parts, although illustrated as being of metal, may be formed of any suitable material, including insulating material, without aifecting the operation of lamp lila and ring 5l may, if desired, be omitted.

Cap 53 in this form of the invention, through surfaces 55, serves to press bulb Illa closely upon contact 61 to assure a good contact at this point and prevent accidental injury to the bulb base which otherwise would be exposed.

A further modied form of the invention is disclosed in Figure l0. In this form of the invention, the socket structure and bulb structure are identical to that shown in Figures 1 through 4, except that the glass bulb portion is elongated to provide a glass bulb I2b having a filament l3b therein. The bulls eye lens 65 is omitted and a prism 63h having a vertical light transmitting face 15 in place of reflecting surface 64 is provided. Face 15 coincides withthe vertical'wall of bore 32. As seen in Figure 10 the coiled portion of filament I3 is disposed directly opposite face 15 and substantially centrally of bore 32. As a consequence, lament i3 for all practical purposes constitutes` a point of illumination, and the rays of light therefrom radiate in all directions. Certain of these rays pass through face 15 and prism 63h into the edge of the dial to effect illumination in the manner heretofore pointed out.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured byV United States Letters Patent is:

1. A lamp and cap assembly, consisting in a cap having a cup-like body, a finger grip portion surrounding the closed end of said cup-like body, and a threaded portion for securing said assembly in a socket, a lamp having a base freely tting in the open end of said cup-like body with the bulb protruding therefrom, said lamp having a positive contact extending along beside said body beside a portion of said protruding bulb beyond said body and the adjacent end of said base and 'a negative contact for completing the circuit through said lamp.

2. The lamp and cap assembly defined in claim l wherein said negative contact extends along a portion of said protruding bulb and beyond said body and the adjacent end of said base in spaced relation to said positive contact.

3. The lamp and cap assembly defined in claim 1, wherein said negative contact extends beyond the other end of said base in position to be gripped between the inner end wall of said cuplike body and said base.

4. A'n electric lamp consisting of a sealed bulb and a filament having ends projecting from the bulb, an insulating sleeve having a portion thereof telescoped on said bulb, a pair of contacts within said sleeve connected to the ends of said filament, one' of said contacts having an exposed end protruding from and lapping one end of said sleeve and the other contact having an exposed end protruding from and lapping the other end of the sleeve, and cementitious material lling said sleeve beyond said portion providing a base having one contact at the back of said sleeve and another contact forwardly of saidl sleeve.

5. An electric lamp, comprising a bulb having a filament, contact strips disposed at opposite sides of said bulb and connected to said illament. an insulating sleeve surrounding a portion of said bulb and said strips, one of said contact strips extending rearwardly beyond one end of said sleeve and having its extending end bent over to form a contact at the exposed end of said base and the other contact strip projecting forwardly beyond the other end of said sleeve and having its extending ,end bent over to form a contact between the ends of said bulb.

6. An electric lamp, comprising a bulb having' a filament, contact strips disposed at opposite sides of said bulb and connected to said filament, an insulting sleeve surrounding a portion offsaid bulb and said strips, said contact strips projecting forwardly beyond the end of said sleeve and having their extending ends reversely bent around the end of said sleeve to form spring contacts for frictionally retaining said lamp in assembled relation in a socket.

7. A lamp socket, consisting in a recess in a non-conducting housing of an instrument or the like, an insulating sleeve disposed in said recess and having one end terminating a substantial distance inwardly from the face of said housing or the like, an electrical contact in the form of a ring secured to said sleeve and overlapping said end of said sleeve, and a second electrical contact in the form of a ring embedded in said housing Y end of said sleeve.

9. The lamp socket dened in' claim '1, wherein said first contact comprises a relatively narrow shoulder abutting said end of said sleeve.

10. An electric lamp, comprising a bulb having a lament, contact strips at opposite sides of said bulb and connected to said filament, an open-ended insulating sleevev surrounding said strips and telescopically receiving approximately one half the length of said bulb, said sleeve protruding beyond one end of said bulb to provide an open recess for receiving a suitable cementitious material, and cementitious material nlling said recess and the space between said bulb and sleeve to firmly unite said bulb, said contact strips and said sleeve into a imitary lamp assembly.

- KLEIN.

WILLIAM E. PFEFFER.

I+ CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. i A Patent No. 2,210,764.. August 6, 1911.0.

MAXIMILIAN KLEIN, ET AL'. It is hereby 'certified that error alppearsin the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, lines 5? and 58, claim 1,strike out the words "beside said body 'beside; and second column, line 29,clim 6, for "insulting" read --insulating; and that -the said Letters PatentV should nel read with this correction therein that the same may conform tothe record of the case inthe Patent office. A Y

signed and sealed this 10th day of september, AA. D. 191m.

Leslie Frazer, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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